Dahlia plant named ‘Montana’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘Montana’ that is characterized by a short crop time of 6 to 7 weeks, a compact, upright and uniform growth habit, good branching and yellow inflorescences with ray florets only. In combination, these traits set ‘Montana’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Dahlia  known to the inventor.

Botanical classification: Dahlia variabilis.

Variety denomination: ‘Montana’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant botanically known as Dahlia variabilis and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Montana’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area of Hillegom, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new Dahlia cultivars with interesting and unique flower and foliage colors.

‘Montana’ is a hybrid that originated from the induced hybridization of the female or seed parent an unidentified proprietary Dahlia variabilis seedling selection (not patented) and the male or pollen parent an unidentified proprietary Dahlia variabilis seedling selection (not patented). The cultivar ‘Montana’ was selected by the inventor in 1996 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment of Hillegom, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction by terminal cuttings of the new cultivar ‘Montana’ were taken in 1999 in Hillegom, The Netherlands by the inventor. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Dahlia cultivar ‘Montana’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Montana’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from all other existing varieties of Dahlia known to the inventor.

1. Dahlia ‘Montana’ has a short crop time of 6 to 7 weeks.

2. Dahlia ‘Montana’ exhibits an upright and uniform growth habit.

3. Dahlia ‘Montana’ exhibits good branching.

4. Dahlia ‘Montana’ exhibits a compact growth habit.

5. Dahlia ‘Montana’ exhibits yellow flowers with ray florets only.

The closest comparison variety is Dahlia ‘Alabama’ (not patented). ‘Montana’ is different than ‘Alabama’ in having a shorter crop time, less vigor, a more compact habit and a uniform yellow flower color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits of Dahlia ‘Montana’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a 8 week old plant.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘Montana’. Data was collected in Maasland, The Netherlands from 8 week glass greenhouse grown plants in 10.5 cm diameter containers. The time of year was June and the temperature was kept at 17° Centigrade during the day and night. The light level was natural outdoor light plus supplementary light of 3600 lux during the day and there were no photoperiodic treatments. Dazide growth retardant was used 4 times at a rate of 2 grams per liter. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species.

‘Montana’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

Botanical classification: Dahlia ‘Montana’.

Use: Ornamental.

Parentage: ‘Montana’ is a hybrid plant that resulted from the induced hybridization of the following parent plants:

Female parent.—An unidentified proprietary Dahlia variabilis seedling selection.

Male parent.—An unidentified proprietary Dahlia variabilis seedling selection.

Vigor: Low.

Growth rate: Approximately 5 cm. per month.

Growth habit: Broad upright.

Plant shape: Globose with flowers on top.

Suitable container size: 12 cm container.

Height: 17 cm. in height.

Width: 17 cm. in width.

Hardiness: USDA Zone 8.

Propagation: Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots: Approximately 5 to 8 days to produce roots on an initial cutting.

Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: Approximately 12-16 days.

Crop time: From a rooted cutting, approximately 6 to 7 weeks are required to produce a finished flowering plant.

Root system: Fine and fibrous.

Stem:

Branching habit.—Free branching.

Average number of lateral branches.—8.

Pinching.—Yes.

Lateral branch diameter.—5 mm. in diameter.

Lateral branch length.—4 cm. in length.

Lateral branch strength.—High.

Stem color.—143A.

Pubescence.—Absent.

Internode length.—9 mm. between nodes.

Shape.—Round.

Surface.—Smooth, slightly glossy.

Foliage:

Texture.—Slightly glossy.

Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.

Compound or single.—Compound, trifoliate occasionally pinnate.

Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—6.

Quantity of leaflets per leaf.—3.

Leaflet shape.—Broad elliptical.

Leaflet apex.—Acute.

Leaflet base.—Attenuate.

Leaf length.—8.8 cm. in length.

Leaf width.—7.8 cm. in width.

Leaflet length.—4.8 cm. in length.

Leaflet width.—2.8 cm. in width.

Pubescence.—Absent.

Leaflet margin.—Serrate.

Vein pattern.—Palmate.

Young leaf color (lower surface).—139A to 141A.

Young leaf color (upper surface).—147A.

Mature leaf color (lower surface).—191A.

Mature leaf color (upper surface).—137A to 139A.

Vein color (lower surface).—143A.

Vein color (upper surface).—138B.

Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.

Petiole dimensions.—2.8 cm in length and 3 mm. in width.

Petiole color.—143A.

Inflorescence:

Inflorescence type.—Terminal capitulum.

Flowering habit.—Continuous from early June throughout summer.

Quantity of ray florets and disc florets per capitula.—95 ray florets and no disc florets.

Quantity of inflorescences per lateral stem.—Approximately 1 capitulum.

Quantity of inflorescence buds per lateral stem.—Approximately 1 capitulum.

Quantity of inflorescences and buds per plant.—Approximately 8 capitulum.

Flowering season.—Summer.

Rate of inflorescence opening.—Approximately 25% are opened at once.

Fragrance.—Faint, sweet.

Bud length.—8 mm. in length.

Bud diameter.—1.4 mm. in diameter.

Bud shape.—Flattened globose.

Bud color.—144A.

Inflorescence aspect.—Outward-upright.

Inflorescence appearance.—Ray florets only.

Inflorescence dimensions.—7.3 cm. in diameter, and 3.5 cm. in height.

Inflorescence longevity.—Approximately 14 days.

Ray floret appearance.—Dull.

Ray floret texture.—Smooth.

Ray floret fused or unfused.—Unfused.

Ray floret shape.—Oblanceolate.

Ray floret margin.—Entire.

Ray floret apex.—Obtuse.

Ray floret base.—Cuneate.

Ray floret dimensions.—3.6 cm. in length, 1 cm. in width.

Ray floret color when opening (upper side).—1B.

Ray floret color when opening (under side).—1B.

Ray floret color fully open (upper side).—1B.

Ray floret color fully open (under side).—1C.

Ray floret color fading.—164B.

Petaloids.—Absent.

Self-cleaning or persistent: Persistent.

Phyllaries:

Arrangement.—Under each ray floret is one phyllary.

Color immature (upper side).—150C.

Color immature (under side).—150C.

Color mature (upper side).—150C.

Color mature (under side).—150C.

Shape.—Oblong.

Margin.—Entire.

Apex.—Emarginate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Dimensions.—1.6 cm. in length and 6 mm. in width.

Second phyllaries:

Quantity.—6.

Length.—1.1 cm.

Width.—6 mm.

Shape.—Obovate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Apex.—Acute.

Margin.—Entire.

Color (upper side).—137A with a lighter base 143B.

Color (under side).—137A.

Peduncle:

Peduncle dimensions.—6.5 cm. in length and 4 mm. in diameter.

Peduncle angle.—0°.

Peduncle color.—143A.

Peduncle strength.—Strong.

Reproduction organs:

Stamen number.—10 florets per capitulum have stamens, each floret with stamens averages 2 stamens.

Stamen length.—3 mm.

Anther shape.—Basifixed, narrow elliptic.

Anther dimensions.—2 mm. in length.

Anther color.—164A.

Filament length.—1 mm.

Filament color.—158B.

Amount of pollen.—Low.

Pollen color.—163C.

Pistil number.—None observed.

Ovary color.—145A.

Seed: Seed production has not been observed.

Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Dahlia have not been observed for disease or pest resistance. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dahlia plant named ‘Montana’ as described and illustrated. 